Pressing machine



PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l 59 I I n I I F 0 1o /27 INVENTOR. Arab 0. Lony lr A 77'0ENEK Nov. 8, 1960 A. 0. LONG, SR

PRESSING MACHINE.

Filed April 1. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A u 1 I I I u I I I I I I I I n w INVENTOR. 14/0 0. 40/; ,Jr 4% rrow/5K PRESSING MACHINE Arch 0. Long, Sr., Kansas City, Mo. (1311 Tangier Way, Sarasota, Fla.)

Filed Apr. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 649,717

Claims. (CI. 38-25) This invention relates to pressing machines used in the finishing of garments and refers more particularly to an improved machine designed to obtain more rapid and eflicient pressing of trousers and the like.

The pressing of trousers in the past has posed cornplex and time-consuming operations and has required a number of machines. This is due primarily to the uneven distribution of material and the custom of pressing both the legs and trunk with fore and aft creases. To my knowledge there has been as yet no machine produced which is capable of performing these operations simultaneously and which is simple and easy in operation.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a trouser pressing machine which is designed to produce the aforementioned results. In my invention I provide apparatus utilizing a single swingable pressing head which is designed to operate in cooperation with a split or sectional pressing buck, one portion of which receives the trunk and crotch of the trousers and the other the leg portion. The trunk receiving portion of the sectional buck is movable relative the other portion, thus providing means whereby once the trunk is in position thereon, it can be brought into proper relationship with the leg portion so that a single pressing operation produces a crease through both the leg and trunk of the trousers.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the movement of the trunk receiving portion of the buck in relation to the movement of the single pressing head. In my invention the trunk receiving portion of the buck follows a sequence of operations as follows. The normal position is one in which it is raised so that the trunk can be sleeved thereover with the leg of the trousers lying on the adjacent main portion of the buck. The trunk receiving buck portion is then lowered so that it forms an extension of the main buck with the trouser crotch located between the two and the leg and corresponding side of the trunk resting on the surface of a continuous support. The pressing head is then lowered to apply suflicient pressure to crease the material. On raising of the head the trunk receiving portion is automatically actuated back to its normal position whereupon the trousers may be reversed in the pressing operation as described above performed on the other leg and its corresponding side of the trunk. v

A further object of the invention is to provide unique mechanism for accomplishing the above results. A feature of the invention in this regard lies in the provision of mechanism which can be adapted to conventional pressing machine elements with a minimum of expense and difiiculty. v

Still another object of the invention is to provide a split or sectional pressing buck for trousers which is so designed as to hold the trousers in position while providing a working surface capable of supporting the trousers in proper fashion for pressing.

Other and further objects of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views- Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a trouser pressing machine embodying the invention, the pressing head being shown in the open position and the trunk receiving portion of the buck being in the raised or trunk receiving position, part of the end wallof the pedestal and portions of the linkage being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation (or a view from the left hand side) of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a reduced scale top plan view of the split buck of the machine, the trunk receiving portion being in its lowered position relative the main buck;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the lapping extension alone of the trunk receiving portion;

- Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the actuating linkage taken generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 3 but of a modified split pressing buck.

Referring to the drawings reference numeral 10 indicates generally the hollow pedestal or supporting frame of a typical pressing machine which may be utilized in my invention. The frame includes a pair of rearwardly and upwardly extending parallel arms 11 having supported between their upper ends a pair of unitary rocker arms 12. Arms 12 are pivoted to the members 11 at 13. The upper ends of rocker arms 12 carry thereon a press ing head 14 of conventional padded construction. This head may be supported on the rocker arm by any suitable means such as the spring suspension connection illustrated in Fig. 1. The rocker arms 12 are held in their raised position by means of tension springs 15 and 16, these being connected with the lower portion of the rocker arm and extending downwardly within the pedestal in the usual fashion.

To operate the pressing head automatically there is provided linkage located within the pedestal and schematically shown in Fig. 1. Since this linkage is conventional it will be only briefly described. Its main element comprises a thrust rod 17 which is pivotally contreated at its upper end as at 18 with the lower end of a rocker arm 12, and at its lower end with a reciprocable piston rod 19 extending from an air cylinder 20.

The connection between piston rod 19 and thrust rod 17 is pivotal, and the thrust rod also includes a roller 21 adapted to ride on a stationary curved surface 22 supported within the pedestal. A hydraulic check or dash pot 23 is provided to absorb shocks in the system as the head is moved between the open and closed positions. The roller is shown in broken lines at 21' in Fig. 1 in the position it occupies when the head is in its closed position. It should be understood that the linkage shown for actuating the rocker arm pressing head is conventional and that I make no claim to invention therein. Supported on the pedestal 10 is the conventional table 24 which is provided with a front area 24a having mounted thereon controls 25 for operating the air cylinder 20 and thus the pressing head. These controls are also conventional and no further description thereof will be made. Sufiice it to note that one causes the head to move to its down position and the other causes the head to again be raised.

Located above the table is the pressing buck of the machine, which in my invention comprises a main pressing buck 26 and a supplemental buck 27 supported at one end of the main pressing buck. The main pressing buck 26 is supported on a column 28. The supplemental buck and its mounting will now be described.

The supplemental buck preferably comprises a conventional pad 29a which is secured to a platform or support 29. This platform has a pair of downwardly extending lugs 30 near its outer end. A pair of outwardly and upwardly extending arms or columns 31 are secured to the pedestal. The upper ends of these arms are received between the lugs 30 and a pivot pin 32 extends through the lugs and arms to pivotally connect the supplemental buck with the arms.

As shown in Fig. 1 the supplement buck has two positions between which it is movable. The first position is the normal position, which is shown in the solid lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The second position is one in which the supplemental buck is pivoted about its pin 32 counterclockwise so as to lie in a plane where its upper surface is level with and forms a continuation of the upper surface of the main buck. An extension 30a on one of the lugs 36 and a rigid stop pin 31a cooperate to index the supplemental buck 27 in the level position just described. The dimensions of the supplemental buck are such that that end adjacent the main buck lies closely adjacent thereto when in the latter position. A lapping extension 33 is provided on the supplemental buck. This extension preferably comprises an element formed of sheet metal covered with a fabric covering and having a pair of offset tongues 34 secured thereto. The offset tongues are received in retainer loops or bands 35 secured to the underside of the platform 29. The extension is thus connected with the supplemental buck by a slip joint connection and may readily be disassembled from the supplemental buck. The extension overlaps the main buck when the supplemental buck is in the second position (that position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2), and preferably the cover fabric 2% of pad 2% is extended to cover the extension, as shown in Fig. 1. V

The supplemental buck is continually and resiliently urged toward its second or lowered position by means of a helical mousetrap spring 36 which encircles the pivot pin 32. However, when the head 14 is in the open position, the supplemental buck is held in raised position against the influence of spring 36 by means of a linkage now to be described.

Pivotally connected with the outer end of the supplemental buck is a rod element 37. The pivotal connection may be efiected by providing a lug 38 on the underside of the supplemental buck apertured to receive a right angle bend 37a on the upper end of rod 37. The lower end of rod 37 is pivotally connected with another rod 39 as by clevis and pin connection 40. The second rod 39 extends through a centering guide or bearing 41 secured to the table, the rod 39 being longitudinally slidable therein. Connected with the lower end of the rod 39 and disposed beneath the table is an inwardly extending transverse bar 42. Bar 42 is rigid with rod.

39 and may be connected thereto by aperturing the bar and providing the rod with a threaded portion extending through the aperture with lock nuts 43 on either side of the bar.

Pivotally connected with the inner or free end of bar 42 is another rod or shaft 44 which extends downwardly along side the pedestal 10. Intermediate its ends this shaft passes through a guide element 45 which is detailed in Fig. and shown generally in Fig. 1. Guide element 45 comprises nothing more than a cast body having means for securing it to one of the columns 31 as for example by bolts 46. The outer end of the body is provided with a vertical passageway 47 of greater width than the diameter of shaft 44' and the shaft extends through this passageway and is longitudinally slidable therein. Located within the body is a compression spring 48 which serves to normally maintain the shaft at one side of the passageway. However, it will be evident that if force is applied to the rod in a direction away from the pedestal, the spring 48 will yieldably permit lateral movement of the shaft. The lower end of shaft 44 has secured thereto a right angle lip or extension flange 49, which is best seen in Fig. 6. The lip has a bevelled inner edge, and its function will be hereinafter explained.

When the rocker arm 12 and head 14 are in the raised position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lip or flange 49 on shaft 44 is engaged under the free end of a latching element 50 whose end is bevelled at substantially the same angle as the bevel of flange 49 for a reason later to be described. The inner end of this element is rigidly secured to the thrust rod 17 of the press operating mechanism. Thus the latching element extends outwardly through the side wall of the pedestal, a suitable aperture 51 (see Fig. 6) in the side wall of the pedestal being provided for passage of the latching element. This aperture, as is shown in Fig. 6, is so formed as to permit free movement of the latching element as thrust rod 17 is moved during the pressing operation.

To release the flange 49 of shaft 44 from the latching element 50 there is provided the foot actuated release mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 6. This release mechanism may include a pivotal bell crank 52 having one end adjacent the bevelled flange 49 beneath the latching element 50 and the other end pivotally connected with a thrust link 53. A spring 52a is provided to yieldably stabilize the bell crank in the Fig. 2 position. The bell crank is supported on the side of the pedestal by any suitable means such as ears 54 and pivot pin 55. A foot lever 57 is mounted on a pivot pin 58, the pin being carried by an upwardly extending support 59 which may be secured to any laterally spaced from the base of the pedestal.

The thrust link 53 is pivotally connected with the foot lever at 60, whereby upon depression of the foot lever a corresponding downward displacement of the thrust link is caused.

In describing the operation of the unit it will be assumed that initially the various parts and elements of the machine are in the respective positions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. Thus the head 14 is in the raised or open position and the supplemental buck 27 is in its raised or inclined position relative the main buck so that a' substantial gap is open between the adjacent ends thereof. As previously mentioned, the supplemental buck is held in the raised position, despite the tension on spring 36, by the engagement of the flange 49 at the lower end of shaft 44 with the latching element 50.

With the parts in the position described and shown, the first step is to lay one leg of the trousers on the main buck with the trunk oriented toward that end adacent the supplemental buck. The trunk is then sleeved over the raised free end of the supplemental buck until the crotch is drawn under the extension 33 and preferably tightly against the end of the supplemental buck. While both hands are free to adjust the lay of the material the foot lever 57 is then depressed. This causes bell crank 52 to rotate clockwise (Fig. 2), thus forcing the flange 49 outwardly until it clears the end of the latching element 50. The necessary movement of shaft 44 laterally is permitted by the nature of construction of guide element 45 previously described. Once the flange 49 is clear of the latch element, the resistance to contraction of spring 36 is removed, which results in the pivoting of the supplemental buck to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. As the supplemental buck moves into position, the crotch portion of the trousers is brought between the ends of the main and supplemental bucks and a substantially smooth and level surface is provided upon which is supported the full length of one side of the trousers. Any gap which might otherwise exist between the main and supplemental bucks is covered by the overlapping extension 33.

The trousers are now ready for pressing, any excessive bunching or wrinkles being first smoothed by hand. Pressing is accomplished in the usual fashion, the operator merely pressing the proper control button to swing the head downwardly into contact with the garment and flatten it against the buck portions. In this connection it will be noted that the area of the head is equal to or slightly greater than the combined area of the main and supplemental bucks.

It is important to note that as the pressing head swings from the open to the closed position, the following takes place in connection with the control mechanism for the supplemental buck. It will be observed preliminarily that the downward swinging movement of the supplemental buck about its pivot 32 and just described is accompanied by a lifting of transverse bar 42 and the shaft 44 depending therefrom. The raised positions of the bar and shaft and, of course, the flange 49 on the latter, are shown in Fig. 2 at 42', 44', and 49'. The position of flange 49, when raised, in relation to the position of latch element 50 when the head is in the open position is also illustrated in Fig. 6 where the flange is shown in broken lines at 49'. As illustrated the flange in the raised position is above the latch element.

As the head is moved downwardly the latch element 50 moves in a path upwardly and to the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 6, this being due to its connection with the main thrust rod 17 in the head operating mechanism. The final position for the latch element is shown at 50' in both figures. During the course of such movement the outer end of the latch element strikes against the flange but due to the cooperating bevelled surfaces and the yieldable lateral support provided by spring 48 in guide 45, the only thing that happens at this point is that the flange is forced outwardly to permit the latch element to move thereby, after which it returns to the normal position under the influence of spring 48.

The relative position of the latching element 50 above the flange or lip 49 when the pressing head 14 is in the down or closed position makes possible the automatic return of the supplemental buck to the position illustrated in solid lines or in Figs. 1 and 2, at the time the head is brought to the up or open position after pressing is completed. It will be evident that as the latching element moves downwardly from 50 to 50 during the lifting of the head, the latch element will engage the upper surface of flange or lip 49 and displace the latter downwardly. This draws shaft 44 also downwardly and with it the transverse bar 42, thus pulling the supplemental buck clockwise about its pivot and raising the free end thereof so that the garment can be removed and either reversed to press the other leg and its side of the trunk or replaced by another garment.

While I have shown a foot lever for releasing the supplemental buck linkage from the latch element, it will be evident that the same thing can be accomplished by other means, the only requirement being that lateral displacement of shaft 44 take place to free the flange 49 from the latching element.

The plan and dimensions of the main buck and its supplemental buck can be varied, although for wash garments I prefer the generally rectangular relationship shown in Fig. 3. In the case of more expensive and specially cut trousers, such as wool slacks or suit pants, 21 plan such as shown in Fig. 7 will be preferable. Here the main and supplemental bucks, respectively indicated at 127 and 129, are contoured with a convexity in the upper surface, and that end of the main buck adjacent the supplemental buck is curved to conform with the curvature of the crotch. The adjacent end of the supplemental buck is provided with a complemental curvature as at 129a so that when the supplemental buck is brought into the pressing position, the inside of the crotch will be engaged by the supplemental buck while the outside will be engaged by the curved end of the main buck. This aids in preventing wrinkles and permits a much finer finish to be given to the garments. Of course, in using a buck design as shown in Fig. 7, the pressing head will be modified to have a similar face curvature. From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a garment pressing machine, a frame, a main buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck movably supported on the frame and having a first position in which it forms anextension of the main buck and a second position in which that end adjacent the main buck is separated from the main buck, a pressing head supported on the frame for movement toward and away from said main buck and supplemental buck and having a pressing position and an open position, operating means connected with said supplemental buck for moving same between said first and second positions and operable to position said supplemental buck into its second position while the head is in its open position, and means connected with said head and actuated by movement thereof, said last mentioned means cooperating with said operating means to cause said operating means to return said supplemental buck to its second positionupon movement of said head from the pressing position back to the open position.

2. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on theframe, a supplemental buck movably supported on the frame and having a first position in which it forms an extension of the main buck and a second position in which that end adjacent the main buck is separated from the latter, means resiliently biasing said supplemental buck toward said first position, releasable mechanism holding said supplemental buck in said second position but operable to release same to cause said resilient means to move the supplemental buck into said first position, a pressing head supported on the frame for movement toward and away from said main buck and supplemental buck and having a pressing position and an open position, and means connected with said pressing head and movable therewith, said last mentioned means cooperating with said mechanism to cause said supplemental buck to return to its second position upon movement of said pressing head from said pressing position away from the bucks to said open position.

3. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck having a normal pressing position in which one of its ends is closely adjacent one end of said main buck and the pressing surface of the supplemental buck forms an extension of the pressing surface of the main buck, means connecting the supplemental buck to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis near the other end of the supplemental buck whereby said supplemental buck can be pivoted to raise said one end of the supplemental buck above the end of the main buck thereby to separate said ends and incline the supplemental buck with respect to the main buck, and operating means operable to selectively move said supplemental buck between said first and second positions.

4. In a pressing machine as in claim 3, the inclusion of a lapping extension connected with that end of the supplemental buck adjacent the main buck, said extension extending from the ends of the supplemental buck and overlapping and engaging a marginal portion of the pressing surface of the main buck.

5. A pressing machine as in claim 4 wherein said lapping extension is separable from said supplemental buck, a slip joint connection being provided between the lapping extension and supplemental buck.

6. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck having a normal position in which one of its ends is closely adjacent one end of said main buck so as to form an extension of the main buck, means pivoting said supplemental buck to the frame whereby said supplemental buck can be pivoted to raise said one end of the supple mental buck above the end of the main buck thereby to separate said ends and incline the supplemental buck with respect to the main buck, resilient means resisting said pivotal movement, a control linkage connected with said supplemental buck and operable to pivot the latter against the action of the said resilient means, latch means operable to engage said linkage to hold the supplemental buck in the raised position, and release mechanism operable to disengage the linkage from said last named means to initiate the movement of said supplemental buck to the normal position under the influence of said resilient means.

7. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck movably supported on the frame and having a first position in which it forms an extension of the main buck and a second position in which that end adjacent the main buck is separated from the latter, operating means operable to selectively move said supplemental buck between said first and second positions, a pressing head supported on said frame for movement between an open position and a pressing position relative said bucks, and means for moving said pressing head, said last mentioned means including mechanism operable to establish a connection with said operating means upon return of said head from its pressing to its open position and to cause said supplemental buck to move into its second position.

8. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck having a normal position in which one of its ends is closely adjacent one end of said main buck so as to form an extension of the main buck, means pivoting said supplemental buck to the frame whereby said supplemental buck can be pivoted to raise one end above the end of the main buck thereby to separate said ends and incline the supplemental buck with respect to the main buck, resilient means resisting said pivotal movement, a control linkage connected with said supplemental buck and operable to pivot the latter against the action of said resilient means, latch means operable to engage said linkage to hold the supplemental buck in the raised position, release mechanism operable to disengage the linkage from said last named means to initiate the movement of said buck to the normal position under the influence of said resilient means, a pressing head supported on said frame for movement between an open position and a pressing position relative said bucks, and means for moving said pressing head, said means having said latch means connected therewith, said latch means constructed and arranged to engage said linkage to move said supplemental buck to the raised position as said head is moved from the pressing to the open position.

9. In a pressing machine, a frame, a main pressing buck rigidly supported on the frame, a supplemental buck having a normal position in which one of its ends is closely adjacent one end of said main buck so as to form an extension of the main buck, means pivoting said supplemental buck to the frame whereby said supplemental buck can be pivoted to raise said one end above the end of the main buck thereby to separate said ends and incline the supplemental buck with respect to the main buck, resilient means resisting said pivotal movement, a control linkage connected with said supplemental buck and operable to pivot the latter against the action of said resilient means, a pressing head conforming in area to the combined areas of said main buck and supplemental buck, said head supported on said frame for movement toward said bucks to a pressing position and away from said bucks to an open position with respect thereto, an actuating mechanism for said head, said mechanism including a latching element which follows a defined path as said head moves between said open and pressing positions, and a member on said control linkage arranged to be engaged by said latch element when the pressing head moves from the pressing to the open position thereby to move the control linkage in a direction to pivot the supplemental buck to its raised condition.

10. A pressing machine as in claim 9 wherein separate means are provided for disengaging the control linkage from said latching element when the pressing head is in the open position thereby to initiate the movement of said supplemental buck to the normal position under the influence of said resilient means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,902 Palmer June 1, 1915 2,050,611 Johnson Aug. 11, 1936 2,139,066 Bicknell Dec. 6, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 355,293 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1931 

